EXCLUSIVE: Physician Who, the long-running BBC sci-fi sequence, has shifted away from a residual mannequin for its writers since Disney+ got here on board as a companion, we perceive.
The sequence, which is at the moment celebrating its 60th anniversary with a trio of specials from returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, has moved in the direction of a buyout mannequin for writers, Deadline has been instructed.
Sources stated that episodic writers are actually being paid a big payment upfront slightly than a smaller payment plus residuals that has seen earlier scribes earn further compensation when Physician Who is repeated.
Physician Who, which has aired practically 900 episodes over six many years, has been one of the profitable British sources of residuals for former writers down the years as it’s so closely repeated. The complete again catalog has simply landed on BBC iPlayer, for instance.
Whereas Deadline understands that contracts have been freely negotiated and agreed with writers and their brokers, the transfer comes at a topical time for writers’ compensation, notably given the latest labor motion within the U.S. Physician Who stays a British present and thereby doesn’t need to abide by WGA contracts however the optics are fascinating on condition that the transfer comes after Disney+ boarded the sequence final yr as a companion exterior of the UK and Eire.
Deadline understands the Physician Who author contract offers have been struck previous to the WGA decision, which got here two months in the past. Residuals have been a key sticking level in these negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP and the guild’s eventual deal included elevated streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses.
Ellie Friends, Normal Secretary of the Writers Guild of Nice Britain, instructed Deadline: “As a commerce union we take our tasks in negotiations very significantly and this entails being in full possession of the info earlier than taking over points with broadcasters and others, each privately and publicly. The phrases outlined to us by Deadline, if true, would signify a critical retrograde step for UK writers engaged on Physician Who.”
“We urge writers who’ve these contracts to come back ahead and get in touch with us in confidence so we will take a look at them correctly and transfer ahead from there,” she added.
A BBC/BBC Studios spokeswoman stated: “Physician Who offers are individually negotiated and commercially confidential. Nonetheless, all offers bear in mind each the rights wanted by the programme funders and the charges and residuals payable to expertise.”
Davies is serving as showrunner for a second stint and has supercharged the sequence with the assistance of Disney+ funding. His Darkish Supplies producer Dangerous Wolf has additionally boarded the sequence, which is produced by BBC Studios.
Physician Who returned to the BBC on Saturday evening for the primary of a trio of anniversary specials, which was watched by greater than 5 million folks. David Tennant is enjoying the Physician for the specials earlier than Intercourse Training star Ncuti Gatwa takes over the enduring function subsequent yr, changing into the primary Black actor to steer the present.
The brand new sequence additionally consists of Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Miriam Margolyes and Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney, whereas quite a few spin-offs are within the works.
